1. Jeanie Buss, 55, Lakers President and Governor The Lakers’ controlling owner won a legal battle with her siblings in March to retain control of one of the most high-profile franchises in sports after firing brother Jim Buss … (Photo by Brad Graverson/The Daily Breeze)

… and longtime GM Mitch Kupchak and now has a new regime in place led by Magic Johnson and promising young players. ( Photo by Stephen Carr, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG )

Sound

The gallery will resume inseconds

2. Eric Garcetti, 46, Mayor of Los Angeles In less than four years in office, Garcetti has helped land two NFL franchises in L.A. after the city went 21 years without one … (Photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

… but his most significant contribution on the sports front is all but assuring the city of hosting its third Olympic Games in either 2024 or 2028. (Photo by David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

3. Magic Johnson, 57, Lakers President of Basketball Operations He was already a part-owner of the Dodgers, Sparks and LAFC, but Johnson’s influence in L.A. soared to new heights … (Photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

… when he was tasked in February with leading the Lakers out of their worst stretch in franchise’s proud history. (Photo by Brad Graverson, The Daily Breeze/SCNG)

4. Stan Kroenke, 69, Rams Owner The Rams’ arrival in 2016 wasn’t met with as much fervor as expected and the opening of Kroenke’s NFL stadium in Inglewood was delayed a year until 2020 … (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

… but the real estate titan’s facility is still expected to set a new standard in the league and will host the 2022 Super Bowl. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

… that has completed the ultimate resurgence after losing the U.S. bid to improbably surpass the domestic and international competition to all but assure L.A. of landing either the 2024 of 2028 games. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

6. Mark Walter, 56, Dodgers Chairman and Controlling Owner Still comfortable spending more money than any owner in baseball, Walter’s franchise is aiming for a fifth straight NL West title … (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

… as he faces decisions about how far to extend the land around Dodger Stadium for L.A.’s Olympic bid. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

7. Philip Anschutz, 77, AEG Chairman The owner of the Kings, Galaxy and a chunk of the Lakers, Anschutz could be losing the Clippers as a tenant in Staples Center … (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

… one of the 125 sports and music venues controlled by his company, but the Denver billionaire is gaining the Chargers as a tenant at StubHub Center. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

8. Steve Ballmer, 61, Clippers Owner Three seasons into his tenure as the world’s richest owner of a sports team, Ballmer is at a crossroads with Clippers regime, but regardless of who is on the court … (Andy Holzman/Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

… the former Microsoft CEO worth north of $30 billion is moving toward constructing a new arena for the Clippers in Inglewood. (Photo by Ed Crisostomo, Orange County Register/SCNG)

9. Howard Nuchow, 45, Co-Head Creative Artists Agency SportsThe CAA Sports division has barely existed for a decade, but it’s already threatening to surpass the movie, television and music arms of entertainment …

… giant CAA thanks to the leadership of L.A.-based Nuchow, whose humble beginnings included selling tickets for the New Jersey Nets.

10. Arte Moreno, 70, Angels Owner With the best player in baseball under contract until 2020, Mike Trout provides the foundation for Moreno’s Angels to thrive … (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

… and while some ill-advised spending has cost the Angels in recent years, the franchise is overachieving in 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/ Pasadena Star-News)

11. Dean Spanos, 67, L.A. Chargers Owner Spanos will now call the country’s second-largest television market home after leaving the 28th largest in San Diego behind … (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

… but he has plenty of inroads to make in a city the Rams once called home amid a controversial move to an already saturated sports city. (Photo by Steve McCrank, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

12. Clayton Kershaw, 29, Dodgers Pitcher The best pitcher in baseball is also the most recognizable Dodger, even if he’s giving up more home runs than usual … (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

… That he can opt out of his contract after the 2018 season only raises the stakes for the Dodgers’ next two seasons. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

… the duo continues to dive deeper into the sports game, acquiring UFC for $4 billion last summer and making inroads in the fast-growing eSports arena. (ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

14. Dan Beckerman, 47, AEG President and CEO AEG property Staples Center hosted the NHL All-Star Game in 2017 and will host L.A.’s record sixth NBA All-Star game in 2018 … (Photo courtesy of AEG)

15. Mike Trout, 25, Angels Center Fielder The consensus best player in baseball won his second MVP in 2016 and Trout was a finalist for the award for a astounding fifth consecutive time last season … (Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

… but despite his individual success, he has struggled to elevate his team in recent seasons. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

16. Henry Samueli, 62, Ducks Co-Owner The Ducks are coming off their second appearance in the Western Conference Finals in the last three years and with fan favorite Randy Carlyle … (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

… back on the bench, Samueli’s most prized asset seems to be in good hands.(File: Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

17. Stan Kasten, 65, Dodgers President, CEO and Co-Owner SportsNet LA’s lack of carriage means all but a couple dozen Dodger games will be blacked out on TV for most Southern California viewers … (Photo by John McCoy, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

… but the man with autonomy on personnel decisions has the Dodgers poised to win a fifth straight division title, something the franchise has never done before. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

… and currently has nine clients with contracts worth over $100 million, evidence that he remains the most fierce negotiator in all of sports. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

20. Doc Rivers, 55, Clippers Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations After four seasons of failing to advance past the second round of the playoffs, the shine has worn off … (Photo by John McCoy, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

… since Rivers took over a roster full of stars in their prime. Now that Chris Paul has departed, the future is murky for both Rivers and the Clippers. (Photo by John McCoy, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

21. Jerry West, 79, Clippers Advisor The Laker legend hasn’t lost his competitive edge as he approaches 80 years of age. After serving as an advisor to the Golden State Warriors for a five-year run that included two NBA titles … (Photo By Robert Casillas, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

… he is taking on the same role with a Clippers team that may be headed for a rebuild. (Photo By Robert Casillas, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

… His wing of TMZ continues to break high profile stories and TMZ Sports has had its own show on FS1 for over a year. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for REELZ)

23. Dan Guerrero, 65, UCLA Athletic Director With a $75 million football practice facility and $35 million basketball counterpart set to open at UCLA in 2017, part of more than $400 million worth of upgrades to UCLA athletic facilities under Guerrero … (Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

…things are looking up for the Bruins’ AD, whose patience with basketball coach Steve Alford appears to be paying off. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

24. Luke Walton, 37, Lakers Coach Grand expectations based largely on his success in Golden State weren’t lost during a bumpy first season on the Lakers’ bench. One of the most intriguing young coaches in the NBA … (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

… Walton is a big reason the Lakers are increasingly mentioned as a potential destination for Paul George and even LeBron James. (Photo by Steve McCrank, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

… The efforts of his production company landed him a deal with ESPN and he seemingly had a hand in his former agent becoming the Lakers’ general manager. (Photo by John McCoy, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

28. Clay Helton, 45, USC Football Coach After a tumultuous beginning to his first season, a nine-game winning streak Trojan fans hope will spill over into 2017 … (Photo by John McCoy, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

… transformed Helton’s image from in-over-his-head rookie head coach to the first stable presence on the USC sideline since Pete Carroll. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

29. Eric Shanks, 45, Fox Sports President and COO With new Shanks-endorsed sports debate shows in place starring former ESPN talents Skip Bayless and Colin Cowherd and another on the way featuring Cris Carter … (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

… Fox’s latest evolution included laying off some 20 writers and editors in June as Fox Sports Digital continues a strategic shift to emphasize video in order to promote the network’s television personalities. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

30. David Simon, 67, L.A. Sports Council President Virtually every major sporting event attracted by Los Angeles over the last 25 years is due in some part to the efforts of Simon … (Photo courtesy David Simon)

… who has helped land Super Bowls, Olympic Games and World Cups for one of the most revered sports cities in the world. (Photo courtesy David Simon)

… De La Hoya is betting heavily on himself and his headline fighter Canelo Alvarez. Both have a great deal on the line in Canelo’s Sept. 16 mega-fight versus Gennady Golovkin. (Photo by Gene Blevins, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

32. Brandon Beck, 30, Riot Games CEO and Co-Founder Beck’s prized property, League of Legends, continues to grow at a breakneck pace, attracting 43 million viewers – 12 million more than the NBA finals … (Photo courtesy Riot Games)

No. 34 Kevin Demoff, 40, Rams CEO and VP of Football Operations The only person above him on the Rams’ food chain is owner Stan Kroenke. Demoff oversees business and football operations for the sports franchise Forbes ranked the 12th most valuable in the world … (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

… and after seven years in the Rams’ front office, the L.A. native landed back in his hometown. (Photo: Chris Lee / TNS/ZUMAPRESS.com)

35. Luc Robitaille, 51, L.A. Kings President The Kings cleaned house after missing the playoffs for the second time in three years … (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

… promoting Robitaille to oversee the new-look front office for a franchise whose standards were raised by its first two Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

36. Philip Rivers, 35, Chargers Quarterback The 13-year NFL veteran is the face of a franchise battling to win fans in a new market where it will compete with not only another NFL team, but seven additional pro sports franchises … (Photo by Steve McCrank, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

… Rivers has indicated he isn’t close to retirement, but time is running out for him to win a Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

37. Jim L. Mora, 55, UCLA Football Coach UCLA dipped to its lowest point in Mora’s five-year tenure when the Bruins won just four games in 2016 … (Photo by Brittany Murray, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

… Mora has produced just five wins in his last 16 games – but lofty expectations remain with quarterback Josh Rosen returning from injury in 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

38. Renata Simril, LA84 Foundation President and CEO The former Dodgers executive has accelerated the success of a legacy program from the 1984 Olympics that has grown …

… its original endowment of $93 million into $230 million of grants and programs that has touched more than three million youth athletes in L.A. (Keith Birmingham/Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

39. LaVar Ball, 48, Big Baller Brand Founder The father of Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball took the national media by storm during his oldest son’s lone season at UCLA. His voice is only growing louder as he promotes his start-up company … (Photo By Robert Casillas, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

… via three sons, one in the NBA, one at UCLA and one who is one of the most recognized high school basketball players in the country. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

40. Lonzo Ball, 19, Lakers Point Guard To put the expectations of Ball in perspective, at his introductory press conference with the Lakers … (Photo By Robert Casillas, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

… Lakers legend Magic Johnson told the second pick in the 2017 NBA draft he expected a career worthy of retiring Ball’s number next to his. (Photo By Robert Casillas, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

41. Randy Carlyle, 61, Ducks Head Coach Already beloved in Anaheim because of the 2006 Stanley Cup he won as the Ducks head coach, in the first season of his second stint with the team … (Sam Gangwer/Orange County Register/SCNG)

… he led them to a division title and fell just two wins shy of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)

42. Dave Roberts, 45, Dodgers Manager Roberts went a long way toward squelching sentiments that he was simply a puppet for the front office with several unconventional managerial moves that paid off in the 2016 playoffs … (Hans Gutknecht photo)

… and now he is further proving his worth as the Dodgers are streaking toward a fifth straight NL West title. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

43. Colin Cowherd, 53, Fox Sports 1 TV and Radio Host A heavyweight radio personality for 12 years at ESPN, Cowherd is expanding his repertoire at Fox since his second year … (Courtesy photo: Fox Sports)

… hosting his own show in addition to co-hosting debate show ‘Speak For Yourself’ alongside Jason Whitlock and appearing on Fox’s NFL Pregame show. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching, File)

44. Steve Clarkson, 55, Quarterback Coach The competition continues to heat up in the private coaching arena where Clarkson was one of the first pioneers, and the 55-year-old keeps finding new ways to reinvent himself … (Photo courtesy of Steve Clarkson Dreammaker)

… Business is good, as his 30 NFL quarterbacks and more than 200 Division I college quarterbacks would indicate. (Photo courtesy of Steve Clarkson Dreammaker)

45. Dr. Neal ElAttrache, 57, Dodgers Team Physician Outside of the Dodgers he regularly treats, ElAttrache’s list of clients extends across the country from Kobe Bryant to Manny Pacquiao to Tom Brady … (Photo by John Soo Hoo/courtesy of Los Angeles Dodgers)

… The nationally renowned orthopedic surgeon who recently operated on Julio Urías’ shoulder apparently didn’t have his hands too full to hold the future of the Dodgers’ pitching staff. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Neal ElAttrache)

46. Rob Pelinka, 47, Lakers General Manager On the heels of the worst four-year stretch in the Lakers’ franchise history, the hiring of Kobe Bryant’s former agent appears to have Pelinka well positioned … (Photo by John McCoy, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

… with a young roster he is quickly retooling with bold moves like trading former No. 2 overall pick D’Angelo Russell. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

47. Sam Darnold, 20, USC Quarterback Darnold hasn’t yet started for a full season, but after taking over and leading USC to nine consecutive wins to end last season the Trojans are expected to … (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

… contend for a national championship this coming season and Darnold is the No. 1 pick in ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper’s 2018 mock draft. (Photo by John McCoy, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

48. Josh Rosen, 20, UCLA Quarterback As if UCLA’s four wins last season or his uncertain standing for the 2018 NFL draft weren’t enough motivation for Rosen to bounce back from a shoulder … (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

… injury that cost him the final six games of last season, he is now considered by many the second-best college quarterback in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

… positioning them for a return toward their top of their division in the near future. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz/Orange County Register/SCNG)

50. Skip Bayless, 65, Fox Sports TV Personality It remains to be seen whether the Skip Bayless experiment at FS1 will be a success – Fox lured him away from ESPN with a reported four-year … (Photo courtesy of Fox Sports)

… $25 million contract – but he remains a gravitational force in the opinionated sports world. (Photo courtesy of Fox Sports)

Colin Cowherd, 53, Fox Sports 1 TV and Radio Host

Last Year’s Rank: 43

A heavyweight radio personality for 12 years at ESPN, Cowherd is expanding his repertoire at Fox since in his second year, hosting his own show in addition to co-hosting the debate show ‘Speak For Yourself’ alongside Jason Whitlock and appearing on Fox’s NFL Pregame show.

Clay Fowler is the sports features and UCLA basketball writer for the Southern California News Group. He has been working for SCNG since 2006, when he moved to Southern California from his native Texas. He was born and raised in Dallas and graduated from the University of Texas in 2002. He lives in La Verne with his wife and son. He is probably craving Chinese food right now.